Mama Simba, lion research and conservation in northern Kenya

The Mama Simba, Mother’s of Lions program engages local women in Wildlife Conservation. Samburu women have rarely been actively included yet they spend a significant amount of time in wildlife areas.

We are so inspired by the Mama Simba’s hard work and dedication. This year, the “Mothers of Lions” have added 9 new members to their group, bringing their numbers from 10 to 19. In exchange for weekly educational classes, the Mama Simba have been a watch group for Lion sightings and conflict issues. The group’s support of conservational issues has allowed for a safe environment for the local lion population as well as the opportunity for increased income for the women participating.

Outreach programs like the Mama Simba and the Warriors founded by the Ewaso Lions, have had a positive impact on the lion population around the Samburu National Reserve. In December 2015 alone, the teams have stopped the killing of lions 26 times. The goal is to transform human conflict with Lions into coexistence. This is done through the Ewaso Warriors & Mama Simba programs that teach education in the local community and tracking lion behavior.

It isn’t just the adults that get to have all the fun. The group has held two Lion Kids Camps with a total of 122 Kenyan children learning and practicing conservation. The next generation of lion keepers are being made, and it is beautiful.

Now for the adorable news, new cubs have been found in the study area. They are the most amazing creatures. Jeneria, who found the cubs, had this reaction, “Because of the excitement, I almost threw my camera. I was shaking all over and it took me so long to take the first photo”.

#Repost@natgeo ( @get_repost ) ・・・ Photo by @amivitale . Rimland Lemojong, a Samburu keeper sits with Kinya, a two week old elephant that fell into a well in Sera Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya. After waiting close to 36 hours, Kinya's mother never came back for her and she was brought to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary ( @r .e.s.c.u.e), the first ever community owned and run elephant sanctuary in all of Africa. What’s happening at @r .e.s.c.u.e, without fanfare, is nothing less than the beginnings of a transformation in the way Samburus relate to wild animals they once feared. When not long ago the elephant would…

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Trump just changed the law so hunters like his son -- who like to kill animals for fun -- can murder elephants and bring their heads home as trophies. Let’s show the Trumps we won’t stand for their elephant-killing vanity project.